The Churchills

THE CHURCHILLS

Churchill Club annually presents the CHURCHILLS — a magical event designed to inspires everyone to aim higher and do more to advance innovation, leadership, collaboration, and social benefit.

Our esteemed speakers are nominated and voted to the top for their contributions to four areas of excellence by the Churchill Club Academy, a group of more than 700 innovation community members made up of industry leaders and professionals, entrepreneurs, investors, students, faculty, and journalists.

Honorable speakers for each distinction appear in the spirit of “giving back”—by sharing their perspectives and insights about what is needed to innovate, lead, collaborate, and contribute to the greater good.

This year’s celebration was held Thursday, September 20, 2018 at the Hyatt Regency in Santa Clara.

The distinctions are:

Legendary Leader

For inspirational leadership and contributions to others’ innovation and successSpirit: “Couldn’t have done it without you.”

Magical Team

For collaborative
breakthroughs
resulting in an
irresistible productSpirit: “Your team nailed it.”

Game Changer

For indispensable technology and business innovationSpirit: “You changed how things are done or viewed and there’s no going back.”

Global Benefactor

For irrepressible
vision and positive
impact on societySpirit: “Thanks for thinking big.”

Selection Process

Nominations were submitted by the Churchill Club Academy, a group of more than 700 distinguished business and technology executives and professionals, investors, entrepreneurs, academics, and journalists. The Academy first submits nominations, then votes for the most inspiring companies and individuals of the year. An internal, selection committee reviews the votes and confirms the top nominees based on availability.

Past Speakers and Event History

THE CHURCHILLS were first chosen in 2011 as one of two major events to celebrate Churchill Club’s 25th anniversary year. Each honorable speaker engaged in a candid, dynamic conversation with a special guest interviewer to an audience of 500 people. Legendary Silicon Valley author, speaker and advisor Geoffrey Moore was master of ceremonies. The unique recognition format, which focuses on inspiring others, was extremely well received, and a new annual event was born. Here are the past speakers:

Legendary Leader:

JEFF WEINER, LINKEDIN (2018)

JOHN L. HENNESSY, STANFORD UNIVERSITY (2017)

JOHN CHAMBERS, CISCO (2016)

ANDY GROVE, INTEL (2015)

PAUL JACOBS, Ph.D., QUALCOMM (2014)

PETER DIAMANDIS, XPRIZE FOUNDATION, SINGULARITY UNIVERSITY (2013)

VINOD KHOSLA, KHOSLA VENTURES (2012)

ELON MUSK, TESLA, SPACEX, and SOLAR CITY (2011)

Magical Team:

KHAN ACADEMY (2018)

GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS (2017)

AMAZON ECHO TEAM (2016)

PIXAR ANIMATION STUDIOS TEAM (2015)

TESLA MODEL S DESIGN TEAM (2014)

NASA MARS ROVER CURIOSITY TEAM (2013)

BOX (2012)

MICROSOFT KINECT FOR XBOX 360 (2011)

Game Changer:

NVIDIA (2018)

AMAZON (2017)

NETFLIX (2016)

LINKEDIN (2015)

AIRBNB (2014)

TESLA MOTORS (2013)

SPACEX (2012)

FACEBOOK (2011)

Global Benefactor:

JENNIFER PAHLKA (2018)

REID HOFFMAN, LINKEDIN, and GREYLOCK PARTNERS (2016)

MALALA YOUSAFZAI (2014)

MARC BENIOFF, SALESFORCE.COM (2013)

HASSO PLATTNER, SAP AG (2012)

SALMAN KHAN, KHAN ACADEMY (2011)

Discretionary Distinctions

Community Benefactor:

For positive personal impact on a community in need

Thanks for stepping up

JESSICA DECKER (2017)

Most Valuable Organization:

For the organization that embodies all four areas of CHURCHILLS’ excellence

You showed us a better way of
leading, collaborating, giving,
and winning.